"A Hazy Shade Of Winter" #13 12/10/1966

One of my very favorite Simon and Garfunkel songs. Definitely one of Paul Simon's better writing efforts, it could be considered a companion piece to "California Dreamin' " as it deals with the transition from fall to winter. This didn't show up on any of their albums until "Bookends" in 1968. The Bangles did a somewhat harder-edged version in the late 80's that left out the final verse.

"Whispers (Gettin' Louder)" #11 12/10/1966

A comeback record for the legendary Jackie Wilson, one of the top R&B singers of the late 50's and early 60's. He hadn't had a hit since "Baby Workout" in 1963. Backing was provided by Motown's Funk Brothers studio musicians, who were moonlighting since this was on a competing label. They appeared uncredited here out of respect for Jackie...and to not offend their boss, Berry Gordy.

"I'm Ready For Love" #9 12/10/1966

Another hit for Martha and the Vandellas from the great songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. Here, the ladies had some help from Motown's top female backup vocal group, the Andantes. They were unsung (no pun intended) heroines of so many fine tunes that came from Berry Gordy's label.

"Stop Stop Stop" #7 12/10/1966

Another British music hall based tune, this one from the Hollies was their followup to "Bus Stop." It's about a fellow who keeps getting tossed out of a club because he can't restrain himself from going up on stage after a belly dancer. The video is from a BBC show. Gotta love those haircuts in the band! And check out the audience - definitely a stiff upper lip bunch of older Brits rocking out to a banjo!

"Lady Godiva" #6 12/10/1966

The first Top 10 appearance for Peter and Gordon in almost two years was a music hall styled ditty about the mythical naked horseback ride by an English noblewoman to relieve the tax burden imposed on the citizenry by her husband. It was updated by including a Hollywood movie director who signed the fair lady to a contract, making her the star of a porn flick. Hey, it was the 60's...

"Mellow Yellow" #2 12/10/1966

The 60's were a time where pretty much anything went as far as music, or anything else. Donovan certainly had an oddball arrangement here. I'd always heard Paul McCartney did the whispered part in the choruses, but that's just urban myth as he apparently was part of the background and whooping it up heard in the middle. The term "electrical banana" refers to some type of, uhhhh, ladies toy. Hmmmmm...

"Good Vibrations" #1 12/10/1966

A true masterpiece of rock, and maybe one of the greatest musical compositions ever of any genre. It was part of the mad, drug-fueled genius of Brian Wilson, from the greatest album never released, "Smile," and was documented in the movie "Love And Mercy." (The backstory of "Smile" is simply astounding.) This was probably the first hit record that used a modular structure, where disjointed song fragments are tied together. The most distinctive instrument on the record was an electro-theremin, usually heard in low budget horror movies. It cost between $50,000-$75,000 to make and was the most expensive single ever recorded up until then. The Beach Boys used four different studios over a six-month period with at least 17 recording sessions and more than 20 musicians, including many members of the Wrecking Crew, and had 90+ hours of tape - for a three and a half minute single! Nobody is 100% sure who appears on the finished record, however. There were something like 20 different mixes floating around, and the final version that was released...was in mono. An absolutely brilliant, iconic song of the 60's, and one of my Desert Island selections.